Stack forming mechanism

ABSTRACT

A hay harvesting system in which shredded hay is blown through a conduit into a stack former having a curved roof. The conduit is suspended from the roof of the stack former and is reciprocated laterally in an arc that is concave as viewed from above, to distribute hay in the stack former in a manner that will prevent depressions from forming at the sides of the top of the stack. The reciprocating linkage includes a connecting rod hung from the bottom of the conduit by a universal joint and having its other end connected by a universal joint to a deflector arm that is reciprocated by a double acting piston and cylinder.

United States Patent [191 Heslop 1 1 STACK FORMING MECHANISM [76] Inventor: Lorne C. Heslop. 52 Debere Dr..

Guelph, Ontario. Canada [22] Filed: Apr. 4. 1973 [21] App]. No: 347,694

{52] U.S. C1 v. 214/9; 114/42 R: 302/10; 302/611 [51] Int. Cl 865g 53/40 [58] Field ofSearch ..214/17CB.42 R.9;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.092.134 9/1937 Oppenheim 3112/9 2.752.204 6/1956 Broughton 302/60 3.206.044 9/1965 SCh\viChtenherg.,...... 214/17 CB 3.230.017 1/1966 Cymara 214/17 CB X 3.310.184 3/1967 214/17 CB 3,349.929 1(1/1967 3112/61) X 3.552.801 1/1971 3112/61 3.689.119 9/1972 Weichel 302/61 1 May 13, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 78.317 1(1/1954 Denmark H 302/60 Primary E.\wm'nerEv0n C Blunk Ass/stun! Examiner-W. Scott Carson Almrrzey. Agem. or Firm-Rogers, Bereskin & Parr [57] ABSTRACT A ha harvesting system in which shredded hay is blown through a conduit into a stack former having a curved roof. The conduit is suspended from the roof of the stack former and is reciprocated laterally in an arc that is concave as viewed from above. to distribute hay in the stack former in a manner that will prevent depressions from forming at the sides of the top of the stack. The reciprocating 1inkage includes a connecting rod hung from the bottom of the conduit by a universal joint and having its other end connected by a universal joint to a deflector arm that is reciprocated h a double acting piston and cylinder.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEDumms 3.883.010

sum m 2 2s a 42 1s 6 CONTROL 94\ RESERVO|R FIG. 3 PUMP PRIOR ART 96 FIG 5 PATENIED HAY I 31975 SHEET 2 0F 2 STACK FORMING MECHANISM This invention relates to a mechanism for forming stacks. particularly hay stacks.

Various methods are presently employed to collect and deposit loose hay in a mechanical structure. thereby forming a stack. and then to remove the structure from around the stack. The stack will stand independently after it has been formed and after the container has been removed. but there will be some settling. With present methods of forming a stack. the stack tends to settle in such a way that depressions develop in the top of the stack. The depressions collect water which does not run off and which may seriously damage the hay.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved mechanism for forming stacks so as to reduce the likelihood that the stack will settle in an undesirable manner. According to the invention, the conduit through which material is blown into a stack forming structure is suspended from the top of the forming structure and is rcciprocated from side to side in an arc that is concave as seen from above. This arrangement directs extra material to the sides of the stack at its top and substantially reduces the likelihood that depressions will form in the top of the stack during settling. The invention in a preferred embodiment also provides a simple and effective linkage mechanism for reciprocating the conduit and for ensuring that the conduit travels in a truly circular arcuatc path at all times.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. taken together with the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic side view of a typical hay harvesting system with which the invention is used but not showing the suspension and reciprocating means of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a stack forming structure of the system of FIG. I and showing the manner in which the hay discharge pipe is suspended therefrom and reciprocated;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a conventional haystack after settling;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation showing the hay discharge pipe and reciprocating mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a hydraulic circuit for the invention.

Reference is first made to FIG. I, which shows a conventional harvester 2. towed by a tractor 4. for gathering and shredding hay lying on a field and for blowing the hay through a discharge pipe 6 into a stack forming structure 8. The harvester 2 and structure 8 are. except for the invention to be described, standard units sold by McKee Bros. Ltd. of Elmira. Ontario. Canada. under its trade mark StaclcN-Movcr.

As shown in FIG. I, the discharge pipe 6 has a segmented elbow 10 extending upwardly and then rearwardly from the harvester 2. The elbow I0 is pivotally mounted at 12 on the harvester to allow rotation of the vertical portion of the elbow about a vertical axis 14. The discharge pipe 6 further includes a rigid sleeve I6 telcscoped over the elbow It) and extending rcarwardly from the elbow I0 to the top of the front wall 18 of the structure 8. At the structure 8 the sleeve 16 is suspended by means to be described (and not shown in FIG. 1).

The stack forming structure 8 is conventional and consists of a wheeled enclosure I8 having sides 20, a rear wall 22, and a rounded roof 26. Located within the structure 8 are chains (not shown) of the kind shown in US. Pat. No. 3.298.550 issued Jan. 17. I967 to Farmhand. Inc.. for discharging a stack located in the structure 8.

The structure 8 is towed behind the harvester 2 by a towing hitch 28. The hitch 28 is rigidly connected to the structure 8 and is pivotally connected at 30 to the harvester. The pivotal connection 30 allows rotation of the hitch 28 relative to the harvester 2 about a vertical axis 3] located very near the axis 14. Thus. when the harvester 2 and structure 8 are oriented at an angle to each other during a turn. the pipe 6 will swivel at I2 so that the sleeve 16 will maintain its alignment with the structure 8.

As shown in FIG. 2. the front wall 18 of the forming structure 8 is open at 32. to receive the sleeve I6. Hay blown through the sleeve thus enters the top of the structure 8 in a horizontal direction. To achieve uniform front to back distribution of the hay. the sleeve 16 is equipped at its rear with a segmented deflector 34. The deflector 34 is pivotally secured to the end of the sleeve 16 and can be moved in the are indicated by arrow A by means of a curved control rod 36. to add a downward component to the horizontal movement of the bay. The rod 36 is connected to a double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder 38 mounted on top of the sleeve 16 and is reciprocated by a manually operated hydraulic control (not shown) located on the tractor 4.

The arrangement so far described is entirely conventional and is presently sold commercially as the McKee Bros. Ltd. Stack-N-Mover" system previously referred to. The present invention is concerned with means for mounting the sleeve 16 on the forming structure 8 and with means for reciprocating the sleeve 16 from side to side.

Prior art mechanisms have so far as is known reciprocated the sleeve 16 from side to side either in a substantially straight line or in an are that was convex as viewed from above. Stacks formed by such mechanisms sometimes tended to settle in the form shown in FIG. 3. i.e. depressions 40 would form in the sides of the top of the stack. The applicant has found that the likelihood of occurrence of such depressions can be substantially reduced by reciprocating the sleeve 16 from side to side in an are that is concave as viewed from above. It appears that such a pattern of movement direct excess material to the sides of the stack in the locations where it is needed to pack the stack to counteract the formation of the depressions 40. Because of the curved roof of the forming structure 8. the side edges of the stack cannot become too high.

According to the invention the sleeve [6 is suspended from the top of the forming structure 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central longitudinal beam 42 of the forming structure 8 extends forwardly of the front wall 18, and the sleeve I6 is suspended from this beam with the axis of the sleeve 16 being substantially horizontal. The suspension means for the sleeve includes (see also FIGS. 2 and 4) a set of longitudinally spaced circumferential bands 44 secured to the sleeve 16 by clamps (not shown). A pair of square section tubes 46 are welded to the bands 44. one at each side of the sleeve I6. and extend rearwardly to a location under the forwardly extending beam 42. Secured to the tubes 46 is a metal strap 48 arranged generally in the form of an upside down V. The ends of the legs of the strap 48 are pivotally secured to the tubes 46 by bolts 50 which extend through spacers 52 into the tubes 46. From the apex of the strap 48. a ring 53 extends up wardly and is connected via a link 54 to another ring 56 extending forwardly from the beam 42. This arrangement permits side to side movement of the sleeve 16 along are 8 (FIG. 4) and also permits slight front to rear movement of the sleeve 16 (to accommodate bumps in the terrain being traversed The mechanism for reciprocating the sleeve 16 from side to side includes a mounting plate 60 secured to the front wall 18 of the forming structure 8. The plate 60 is located at the bottom of and to one side of the open ing 32. A double acting cylinder 62 is pivotally mounted at 64 (see FIG. 3) to the mounting plate 60. The piston rod 66 of the cylinder 62 is pivotally con nected at 68 to a deflector arm 70. The deflector arm 70 is pivotally secured at its bottom to the mounting plate 60 and extends upwardly for a substantial dis tance, terminating at its upper end in a laterally extend ing leg 72.

Connected to the leg 72 of the deflector arm is a connecting rod 74. The connection between the rod 74 and the deflector arm 72 is by means ofa universal joint 76 having a first pivot 78 and a second pivot 80, so that the connecting rod 74 is able to swing in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 4) and is also able to swing in and out of the plane of P10. 4.

At the end of the connecting rod 74 remote from the deflector arm 70 there is located an eye bolt 82, se cured to the connecting rod by a nut 84. The eye bolt 82 passes through a ring 86 secured to a metal strap 88. The strap 88 extends up to and is welded to the rear strap 44.

In operation. hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder 62 via hoses 90 from a control mechanism 92 (FIG. 4). The control mechanism 92 is supplied with fluid from a reservoir 94 pressurized by a pump 96 mounted on the tractor 4. The control mechanism (which may be located either on the tractor 4, harvester 2 or'structure 8) is conventional and supplies fluid to each end of the cylinder 62 in turn to reciprocate the deflector arm 70 in an are as indicated by arrow D (FIG. 4). This motion is transmitted through the connecting rod 74 and strap 88 to reciprocate the sleeve 16 along are E. The weight of the connecting rod 74, which hangs from the sleeve 16, ensures that the arc B will be truly circular. The simple linkage shown will operate effectively even during considerable relative motion between the harvester 2 and stack forming structure 8.

ln PK) 4 the centre of the sleeve 16 is indicated at 98. and the vertical centre passing through point 98 and through the ring 56 is indicated at 100. Typically, fora stack forming structure 8 whose width between its sides 20 is between 10 and 11 feet, and for a sleeve 16 of about 14 inch diameter, the radius of arc B (measured to centre 98) is between 18 and 19 inches and during reciprocation the displacement of centre 98 to each side of line l is 85. The connecting rod 74 is typically 25 /2 inches long between pivots 78, 84', the deflector arm 70 is typically 28 inches long between its bottom pivot and pivot 72, and the pivot 68 is typically located inches along the deflector arm from the bot tom pivot of the deflector arm.

What I claim is:

1. For apparatus for building a stack, such apparatus being of the kind including: an elongated conduit section having a first inlet end and a second discharge end; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit section; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit section, said structure including a roof having downwardly sloping sides. and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and support means connecting said conduit section to said means for blowing, for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit section relative to said structure; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit section from side to side to distribute said material in said structure said mecha nism comprising:

a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening;

b. suspension means connected between said second end of said conduit section and said structure for hanging said second end of said conduit section from a pivot point above said conduit section. said support means and said suspension means support ing said conduit section with the axis of said con duit section substantially horizontal with said sec ond end discharging in a direction having a substantial horizontal component, and said substantial horizontal component, and said suspension means allowing pivotal movement of said second end of said conduit section from side to side in a substan tially circular are about said pivot point, the ends of said are being located above the middle of said are. linkage means for connection to said second end of said conduit section for reciprocating said second end of said conduit section from side to side in said are,

d: and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means, whereby as said material is blown through said conduit section, some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to improve the formation of the top of said stack 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said linkage means includes a lever arm extending below said conduit. an elongated connecting arm means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said are and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm, and means connecting the other end of said connecting arm to said power means.

3. For apparatus for building a stack, such apparatus being of the kind including: a conduit having first and second ends; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit, said structure including a roof having downwardly sloped sides, and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and means connecting said conduit to said means for blowing. for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit relative to said structure; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit from side to side to distribute said material in said structure, said mechanism comprising:

a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening.

b. suspension means connected between said conduit and said support member. said suspension means including a stiff substantially V-shaped strap having an apex and a pair of legs. pivot means for pivot-ally suspending the apex of said strap from said support member so that said legs extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom. and means pivotally connecting said legs of said strap to laterally opposite sides of said conduit; thereby to allow pivotal movement of said conduit from side to side in a substantially circular are about said pivot means. the ends of said are being located above the middle of said arc.

c. linkage means for connection to said conduit for reciprocating said conduit from side to side in said are.

d. and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means. whereby as said material is blown through said conduit. some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to improve the formation of the top of said stack;

. said linkage means including a lever arm extending below said conduit. an elongated connecting arm. means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said arc and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm. and means connecting the other end of said con necting arm to said power means 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means connecting said one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm comprises a pair of interengaged rings. one ring connected to said lever arm and the other ring connected to said one end of said connecting arm.

5. For apparatus for building a stack. such apparatus being of the kind including: a conduit having first and second ends; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit; said structure including a roof having downwardly sloped sides. and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and means connecting said conduit to said means for blowing. for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit relative to said struc ture; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit from side to side to distribute said material in said structure. said mechanism comprising:

a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening.

b. suspension means connected between said conduit and said support member for hanging said conduit from a pivot point above said conduit. to allow pivotal movement of said conduit from side to side in a substantially circular are about said pivot point. the ends ofsaid are being located above the middle of said are.

. linkage means for connection to said conduit for reciprocating said conduit from side to side in said arc.

d. and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means. whereby as said material is blown through said conduit, some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to improve the formation of the top of said stack;

. said linkage means including a lever arm extending below said conduit, an elongated connecting arm. means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said are and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm. and means connecting the other end of said connccting arm to said power means;

f. said power means including a cylinder having a double acting piston therein. means pivotally connecting said cylinder to said front wall at a location below and to one side of said opening. said linkage means including a deflector arm having lower and upper ends, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said pivot arm to said front wall for move ment of said upper end in an are about said lower end. means pivotally connecting said piston to said deflector arm adjacent said lower end for amplified movement of said upper end in said last mentioned are. and universal joint means connecting said upper end of said deflector arm to said other end of said connecting arm. 

1. For apparatus for building a stack, such apparatus being of the kind including: an elongated conduit section having a first inlet end and a second discharge end; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit section; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit section, said structure including a roof having downWardly sloping sides, and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and support means connecting said conduit section to said means for blowing, for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit section relative to said structure; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit section from side to side to distribute said material in said structure, said mechanism comprising: a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening; b. suspension means connected between said second end of said conduit section and said structure for hanging said second end of said conduit section from a pivot point above said conduit section, said support means and said suspension means supporting said conduit section with the axis of said conduit section substantially horizontal with said second end discharging in a direction having a substantial horizontal component, and said substantial horizontal component, and said suspension means allowing pivotal movement of said second end of said conduit section from side to side in a substantially circular arc about said pivot point, the ends of said arc being located above the middle of said arc, c. linkage means for connection to said second end of said conduit section for reciprocating said second end of said conduit section from side to side in said arc, d. and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means, whereby as said material is blown through said conduit section, some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to improve the formation of the top of said stack.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said linkage means includes a lever arm extending below said conduit, an elongated connecting arm means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said arc and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm, and means connecting the other end of said connecting arm to said power means.
 3. For apparatus for building a stack, such apparatus being of the kind including: a conduit having first and second ends; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit, said structure including a roof having downwardly sloped sides, and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and means connecting said conduit to said means for blowing, for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit relative to said structure; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit from side to side to distribute said material in said structure, said mechanism comprising: a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening; b. suspension means connected between said conduit and said support member, said suspension means including a stiff substantially V-shaped strap having an apex and a pair of legs, pivot means for pivotally suspending the apex of said strap from said support member so that said legs extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom, and means pivotally connecting said legs of said strap to laterally opposite sides of said conduit; thereby to allow pivotal movement of said conduit from side to side in a substantially circular arc about said pivot means, the ends of said arc being located above the middle of said arc, c. linkage means for connection to said conduit for reciprocating said conduit from side to side in said arc, d. and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means, whereby as said material is blown through said conduit, some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to imProve the formation of the top of said stack; e. said linkage means including a lever arm extending below said conduit, an elongated connecting arm, means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said arc and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm, and means connecting the other end of said connecting arm to said power means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means connecting said one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm comprises a pair of interengaged rings, one ring connected to said lever arm and the other ring connected to said one end of said connecting arm.
 5. For apparatus for building a stack, such apparatus being of the kind including: a conduit having first and second ends; means for blowing material into said first end of said conduit; a covered stack forming structure for receiving material from said second end of said conduit; said structure including a roof having downwardly sloped sides, and a front wall extending to said roof and having an opening therein adjacent said roof; and means connecting said conduit to said means for blowing, for limited side to side and vertical movement of said second end of said conduit relative to said structure; an improved mechanism for reciprocating said conduit from side to side to distribute said material in said structure, said mechanism comprising: a. a support member extending forwardly from said roof and substantially centred over said opening, b. suspension means connected between said conduit and said support member for hanging said conduit from a pivot point above said conduit, to allow pivotal movement of said conduit from side to side in a substantially circular arc about said pivot point, the ends of said arc being located above the middle of said arc, c. linkage means for connection to said conduit for reciprocating said conduit from side to side in said arc, d. and power means for connection to said linkage means for actuating said linkage means, whereby as said material is blown through said conduit, some of said material is directed to the upper portions of the sides of said structure to improve the formation of the top of said stack; e. said linkage means including a lever arm extending below said conduit, an elongated connecting arm, means connecting one end of said connecting arm to said lever arm for side to side movement of said connecting arm to move said conduit in said arc and for supporting a substantial portion of the weight of said connecting arm from said lever arm, and means connecting the other end of said connecting arm to said power means; f. said power means including a cylinder having a double acting piston therein, means pivotally connecting said cylinder to said front wall at a location below and to one side of said opening, said linkage means including a deflector arm having lower and upper ends, means pivotally connecting said lower end of said pivot arm to said front wall for movement of said upper end in an arc about said lower end, means pivotally connecting said piston to said deflector arm adjacent said lower end for amplified movement of said upper end in said last mentioned arc, and universal joint means connecting said upper end of said deflector arm to said other end of said connecting arm. 